NJ CSIT Catalyst R&D Voucher Pilot Program

The NJ CSIT Catalyst R&D Voucher Pilot Program sits under the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology and is administered through NJEDA. It gives early-stage New Jersey companies vouchers that lower the cost of using equipment, facilities, makerspaces, and technician support at participating universities, federal labs, colleges, and nonprofit research organizations. The program is built for small firms that need outside R&D infrastructure to move a technical idea forward. Awards are vouchers rather than cash grants, with a cap of $40,000 in aggregate per 12-month period. The current round is rolling, vouchers remain valid for 12 months from the execution agreement date, and CSIT can grant a one-time three-month extension. Eligible applicants are for-profit companies with operations in New Jersey, U.S. registration, no more than 50 employees, and revenue under $5 million. A company that has already received three or more total vouchers across the Catalyst Voucher rounds is not eligible. The strongest fit is a small New Jersey business with a clearly defined lab task and a specific facility need, especially in advanced manufacturing, advanced transportation and logistics, film and digital media, life sciences, non-retail food and beverage, professional and financial services, or technology. Because unused voucher amounts are cancelled and returned to the program budget, applicants benefit from a tightly scoped project plan and a realistic schedule for using the lab access within the award window.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.